Notebook: Torey Krug kept out of practice

Stephen Harris, Bruins NotebookSaturday, January 04, 2014

Credit: Patrick Whittemore

Torey Krug

WILMINGTON — Defenseman Torey Krug missed a shift or two in the final five minutes of the Bruins’ 3-2 overtime win against Nashville on Thursday because of an unknown physical problem. He was absent from practice yesterday, with coach Claude Julien explaining he was on a “maintenance day.”

Julien had little to offer on Krug’s status, adding only, “We’ll see how he is (today). If he’s good to go, he’ll go.”

If Krug can’t play, newly recalled Kevan Miller would be in the lineup.

Loui on blue line

Winger Loui Eriksson — playing defense with partner Shawn Thornton — took part in a competitive 3-on-2 down-low drill. But Eriksson (concussion) is not yet cleared for contact.

Interestingly, Thornton reminded people that he played a lot of defense in his junior and AHL years, and even in one NHL game with Chicago. “Me and Loui didn’t get scored on,” Thornton said with a laugh.

Getting warmer

After today’s game, the Bruins likely get a day off tomorrow, then fly Monday morning to Southern California, where temperatures are in the 80s. There will be games in Anaheim on Tuesday, Los Angeles on Thursday and San Jose a week from today. So, while the warm weather may be delightful, the games could be the exact opposite for a B’s team that still has a hard time putting together three strong periods.

“It’s going to be challenging,” captain Zdeno Chara said. “They all play good hockey. Getting ready for the second half of this season, so anybody we’re going to face is going to be battling for a playoff spot.”

Julien stressed the importance of a win today against Winnipeg before the trip.

“You know it’s going to be a tough road trip,” he said. “So you’ve got to try and get as many wins here as you can. What I see from those teams is all three are good teams. That’s what we’re facing going to California. So it goes back to what I said: Make sure we play well (today), leave here on a winning note, and be ready to battle some tough teams.”

Wheels up

Many around Boston were delighted to see popular former Bruin Blake Wheeler selected to the U.S. Olympic team on Wednesday. Wheeler likely earned his spot with a red-hot December in which he scored 10 goals. He’ll take the ice at the Garden today with the Winnipeg Jets with 15-16-31 totals in 43 games.

“It’s kind of surreal, to be honest,” Wheeler said in the Winnipeg Sun on Thursday. “Just playing in the NHL was kind of above and beyond dreams that I had, so this is pretty special for myself, my wife and my family.

“This is kind of the biggest honor you can have on the international level. All you have to do is go through the archives, see the people, see the names, the pretty big Hollywood movie, ‘Miracle.’ Those are things that go through your mind: the people before you, the history of being part of this program. It’s pretty crazy.”